I'm not knocking the guy. I like him as a player. Quick to me as a LB are the guys who run 4.5-4.6; Hightower runs a 4.85 40. I know game speed is something that can't be measured, but from watching him play he doesn't go sideline to sideline well and seems like the third guy to the tackle. I just wouldn't call that quick is all. Average for a LB

Personally, I'm not a big Don'ta Hightower fan. He just seems like a big, run-stuffing, two down LB to me. I could be wrong though and it wouldn't be the first time either. You could call it Big Ten bias, but I'm still very impressed with Martez Wilson of Illinois. He's simply big, fast, and makes plays all over the field. At this point, he would be my pick in the 2nd round if he declares and is still on the board. I also like Quan Sturdivant who has out-played the more hyped Bruce Carter at times for NC. But, I see him as more of an OLB in the pros. Regardless, I fully expect the Lions to draft a LB early next April.

_________________

January 1st, 2011, 11:40 am

kdsberman

League MVP

Joined: February 20th, 2007, 10:51 pmPosts: 3527Location: Saginaw, MI

Re: OLB in round 2...

plach1jm wrote:

I'm not knocking the guy. I like him as a player. Quick to me as a LB are the guys who run 4.5-4.6; Hightower runs a 4.85 40. I know game speed is something that can't be measured, but from watching him play he doesn't go sideline to sideline well and seems like the third guy to the tackle. I just wouldn't call that quick is all. Average for a LB

Why are we talking about 40 times? There's a difference between quick and fast.

January 1st, 2011, 3:12 pm

kdsberman

League MVP

Joined: February 20th, 2007, 10:51 pmPosts: 3527Location: Saginaw, MI

Re: OLB in round 2...

slybri19 wrote:

Personally, I'm not a big Don'ta Hightower fan. He just seems like a big, run-stuffing, two down LB to me. I could be wrong though and it wouldn't be the first time either. You could call it Big Ten bias, but I'm still very impressed with Martez Wilson of Illinois. He's simply big, fast, and makes plays all over the field. At this point, he would be my pick in the 2nd round if he declares and is still on the board. I also like Quan Sturdivant who has out-played the more hyped Bruce Carter at times for NC. But, I see him as more of an OLB in the pros. Regardless, I fully expect the Lions to draft a LB early next April.

I agree with you about Martez Wilson. I think hes a heck of a linebacker that I wouldnt hesistate drafting.

Now, in your opinion, what linebacker spot would you think he'd fit best with the Lions?

kdsberman, I see Wilson as a MLB in the pros, but I think he could also do well as a strong side OLB since he would match-up well against TEs. Either/or. It really doesn't matter to me since the Lions could use help at both positions if Peterson is released and Levy is moved to the weak side where I think he could be better utilized.

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January 1st, 2011, 6:21 pm

The Legend

Veteran NFL Head Coach

Joined: February 11th, 2005, 3:01 pmPosts: 5043Location: WSU

Re: OLB in round 2...

i think wilson is a great MLB prospect if he comes out. any word on this? I also think that KJ Wright (Miss St) would be a fit in our defense as an OLB and probably goes in rd3-4 range. could be a consideration if we dont pick ayers in rd1

January 4th, 2011, 4:37 am

liontrax

NFL Team Captain

Joined: March 21st, 2005, 2:11 pmPosts: 1612Location: Wolverine, Mi.

Re: OLB in round 2...

Martez Wilson declared today. Don't know if he's considered a OLB prospect, but from what I've seen of him I think he could play either side. Happy to include him on the growing list of LB candidates the Lions will have to choose from.

January 10th, 2011, 6:37 pm

kdsberman

League MVP

Joined: February 20th, 2007, 10:51 pmPosts: 3527Location: Saginaw, MI

Re: OLB in round 2...

Dont know much, but I do know that after watching for my first time Casey Mathews play last night, I would be very happy drafting him. He really is a stud LB.

January 11th, 2011, 6:28 pm

DJ-B

Pro Bowl Player

Joined: April 5th, 2007, 5:51 pmPosts: 2578

Re: OLB in round 2...

I felt the same. Even before that magical forced fumble (like it was on cue) he was having a great game. I also thought their penalty on his chest bump was bullshit. I would be happy if we could nab him in the 4th, assuming he doesnt climb higher before the draft.

People propped up the Auburn D for how great they played. Well oregons Speed based "no-name" defense held Auburn to 22 points also... when they were averaging over 40.

The more I look at the projections, the more I think we might go LB in the 1st, then go CB with the 2nd round. Even if the top corners are gone by 13, the Lions could still be taking BPA at a position that we have a need.

January 13th, 2011, 8:56 pm

m2karateman

RIP Killer

Joined: October 20th, 2004, 4:16 pmPosts: 10408Location: Where ever I'm at now

The more I look at the projections, the more I think we might go LB in the 1st, then go CB with the 2nd round. Even if the top corners are gone by 13, the Lions could still be taking BPA at a position that we have a need.

Well, a couple of things....Von Miller, Aldon Smith and Jeremy Beal are all considered to be 34 rush OLBs, not really 43 OLBs. Von Miller could probably move to OLB in a 43 scheme, but Smith and Beal would be DEs for Cunningham.

_________________I will not put on blinders when it comes to our QBs performances.

The more I look at the projections, the more I think we might go LB in the 1st, then go CB with the 2nd round. Even if the top corners are gone by 13, the Lions could still be taking BPA at a position that we have a need.

Well, a couple of things....Von Miller, Aldon Smith and Jeremy Beal are all considered to be 34 rush OLBs, not really 43 OLBs. Von Miller could probably move to OLB in a 43 scheme, but Smith and Beal would be DEs for Cunningham.

I'm slowly having to accept that Akeem Ayers also fits into the category of probably 3-4 OLBs and not necessarily a good fit for the Lions' scheme. I like him but I'm not sure if it is a good fit. I'm guessing that regardless of the first pick, the second pick could easily come from a group of good linebackers: Martez Wilson, Greg Jones, or Quan Sturdivant in particular. I also think that Bruce Carter will fall past round 2. Someone will roll the dice on him but I can't imagine spending a second round pick on a player who might miss all of training camp, maybe not practicing until the season is underway. I wouldn't be surprised to see him in rounds 3-4.

_________________Proud member of the Contract Extension for Schwartz Fan Club.

January 14th, 2011, 3:44 pm

The Legend

Veteran NFL Head Coach

Joined: February 11th, 2005, 3:01 pmPosts: 5043Location: WSU

Re: OLB in round 2...

Quote:

I'm slowly having to accept that Akeem Ayers also fits into the category of probably 3-4 OLBs and not necessarily a good fit for the Lions' scheme. I like him but I'm not sure if it is a good fit. I'm guessing that regardless of the first pick, the second pick could easily come from a group of good linebackers: Martez Wilson, Greg Jones, or Quan Sturdivant in particular. I also think that Bruce Carter will fall past round 2. Someone will roll the dice on him but I can't imagine spending a second round pick on a player who might miss all of training camp, maybe not practicing until the season is underway. I wouldn't be surprised to see him in rounds 3-4.

I totally disagree. Ayers is the prototype for what the Lions coaches want from their 4-3 OLB. When Schwartz and co got hired they brought in Julian Peterson to be a big part of the defense and used him as a jack of all trades but especially in coverage one on one on TEs and RBs. Ayers is exceptional in coverage and moves very well. He is not the prototype 3-4 OLB who rushes the passer (Von Miler) actually Ayers is probably just avg in that dept.

Im starting to think that Martez Wilson will be a 1st rd pick at MLB as we get closer to draft time.

Also agree with M2K that Aldon Smith projects as a 4-3 DE.

January 16th, 2011, 10:29 am

yostevo

Heisman Winner

Joined: March 28th, 2005, 7:50 pmPosts: 821Location: Burbs of De-town

Re: OLB in round 2...

The film I've seen on Ayers really doesn't impress me at all. He seems kinda slow and seems to lack the natural instincts of a LB. He seems to react more than he attacks.